A Stroke Of Luck For Sanford
FUNDING FALLS THROUGH FOR PORT PROPERTY BID THAT GOVERNOR OPPOSED
FITSNews – March 18, 2008 – Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good, although in S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford’s case, he’s typically been neither.
The governor did get a stroke of good luck today, however, when the developer he accused of being a “womanizer” failed to come up with the necessary funding to purchase a piece of state-owned property in Port Royal, S.C. The intense debate over the sale of the property had Sanford at the center of a brewing political scandal, particularly when it was revealed that he received campaign contributions from the losing developer, whose bid Sanford aggressively supported in the negotiations.
Several State Senators sought a full-scale investigation of the governor’s involvement in the deal, although it remains to be seen whether or not there will be momentum for such an inquiry now that the sale Sanford objected to has fallen through.
“Unfortunately in the chaos of today’s financial markets across the United States the parties were not able to secure the kind of funding necessary to complete the transaction,” a spokesman for developer said today. “The principals of Port Royal Harbour LLC, Mr. David Staley and Mr. Scott Schmidt, deeply regret the unfortunate financial circumstances which have culminated in this termination of their efforts.”
A source close to Sanford told FITSNews that the firm’s financial instability – not its founders alleged “womanizing” – was the governor’s primary concern, and that today’s news was “a complete exoneration” of Sanford’s controversial involvement in the deal.
“This was the intelligence received by the governor six months ago and passed on by him to the Ports Authority, which decided to go ahead with the contract,” the source said. “So, will (Sen. Jake) Knotts, (Sen. Hugh) Leatherman, (Former Ports Authority Board Member) Tumpy Campell and everyone who excoriated the governor for passing along these concerns to the SPA chairman apologize to him since he has been proven exactly right?”
While Sanford certainly appears to be the big winner in today’s developments, State Ports Authority Chairman Bill Stern finds himself in the unenviable position of having to explain why this property was taken off the market for six months, contracted for sale to a purchaser that didn’t have the ability to close.
Comments
By anonymous on March 18th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Port of Port Royal sale falls through
Tom Gardo, who represents Port Royal Harbour, said in a news release today that the company couldn’t afford the property in the time allotted.
“Port Royal Harbour and its financial partners were fully prepared to move forward, but unfortunately in the chaos of today’s financial markets across the United States, the parties were not able to secure the kind of funding necessary to complete the transaction,†he said.
http://www2.beaufortgazette.com/story/18551
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IS THIS THE SAME TOM GARDO?
“Club Group Ltd. representative Tom Gardo (see Gerwing Coworker Shocked by Disappearance, Suicide) was also at the news conference listening in, hoping to hear some answers. “There is no leads or they don’t have any more progress,†said Gardo.
“Tom Gardo says the group is cooperating with investigators and will continue to provide whatever they need. In the meantime, they are grieving the loss of longtime coworker and friend Dennis Gerwingâ€.
IS THIS THE SAME TOM GARDO?
“Tom Gardo, who represents Port Royal Harbour, said in a news release today that the company couldn’t afford the property in the time allottedâ€.
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RE: Dennis Gerwing and the Disappearance of John and Liz Calvert of Hilton Head Island, SC
By truthseeker on March 18th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Let’s see -Governor Sanford has wanted to sell the Port Royal property for how many years now ? Even though this is relatively small potatoes in the overall process of reforming our port operations, it would be nice to actually make some progress and bank some money – but alas it is just not to be.
Probably time to hire more consultants and study it again for a few more years.
By anonymous on March 18th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Workers’ Comp nominees vow to follow law, not governor’s orders
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Governor Mark Sanford’s nominees to the Workers’ Compensation Commission say they would follow what the law requires and not bow to executive orders issued by a governor.
http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8036429
John Land on Workers’ Comp – VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgkySCB5pSM
By anonymous on March 18th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Davis quits governor’s office; announcement to run for state Senate imminent
Gov. Mark Sanford’s chief of staff resigned his post Tuesday evening and plans to make a run at Catherine Ceips’ state Senate seat.
Tom Davis, 47, a partner at downtown Beaufort law firm Harvey and Battey and a key architect of both of Sanford’s gubernatorial campaigns, said though he hasn’t filed his election forms, he fully expects to run for the District 46 Senate seat that represents most of Beaufort County.
http://www.beaufortgazette.com/local/story/224293.html
By anonymous on April 10th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Testimony: Governor Mark Sanford made REPEATED efforts to sell to a FAVORED DEVELOPER
SANFORD PUSHED HARD for a FAVORED DEVELOPER
Both of Chaffin/Light offers for Port Royal Port were too far below the appraised value of the land.
Bill Stern of the Ports Authority said he had “three, four or five discussions with the governor†about the sale. “Stern’s description of Sanford’s advocacy goes beyond the governor’s description of his efforts”.
“(Sanford) pushed hard for me to try to make a deal with him,†said Stern, who was chairman of the Ports Authority at the time”…
“Stern said one of his conversations with the governor lasted 45 minutes and left him “irritated .
Sen. Jake Knotts said:
…“But I don’t think the governor had a right to try to direct a contract to a friend or campaign contributor.â€
Another attempt to HELP/SELL to Chaffin/Light:
The Ports Authority reached a $26 million deal in November with ANOTHER firm, Port Royal Harbour LLC. But Sanford expressed concerns about the personal reputation of one of the company’s leaders…
“Bill Stern said he and Sanford have clashed frequently on port issues”…
Bottomline, GOVERNOR SANFORD PUSHED HARD for a FAVORED DEVELOPER to the very end.
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/371095.html